The video of his face plant in the 40-yard dash elicited chuckles, but Shamarko Thomas is getting the last laugh.

One week after a tremendous performance at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Thomas has thrust himself squarely into the day two discussion for the upcoming draft. His speed, athleticism and hard-hitting nature boosted his stock four or five rounds to the point where he is a likely third-round pick with the potential to move even higher.

"From the stuff that I hear, you’re talking about a chance to be in the third-round area," said Daniel Jeremiah, a draft analyst for NFL Network. "He’s fun to watch. He’s a violent dude. He’s very aggressive."

Though he was an All-Big East first team selection after leading Syracuse in tackles, Thomas' lack of size — he stands just 5-foot-9 and weighs 213 pounds — drew skepticism from NFL personnel who felt he was too small for the safety position. But an eye-popping series of workouts in Indianapolis placed him at or near the top of his position on every drill, and Thomas assured scouts that he could reinforce the physical play they saw on film.

Thomas is now rated as the No. 77 overall prospect and third-best at his position, according to CBSSports.com. He has vaulted above Justin Pugh, the highly touted Syracuse offensive lineman, and is now graded as a second- or third-round talent.

"A lot of guys really liked him on tape and just said, ‘Well, let’s see what he runs,’" Jeremiah said. "And the fact that he ran well just encouraged what they saw with their eyes watching tape. The most important thing was that the kid is a good player on tape, and then he kind of backed it up with the workout."

As a result, Jeremiah said the "medical stuff" will play a big role in where he is drafted. There are concerns, he said, about the concussions Thomas suffered throughout his career.

"The knocks or the drawbacks are that you’d like a little bit more size and the concussion situation," Jeremiah said.

But there's no denying his talent and work ethic, which come together in the form of an intriguing early-round prospect. So when it's all said and done, expect Thomas' name to be called by the end of third.

"If you’re looking for safeties that can do a little bit of both, that can cover and fill against the run, he can do both," Jeremiah said. "That’s going to help his cause, definitely."